Once again there was a sense Game of Thrones was steeling itself for battles - and expensive set-pieces - chugging down the track. A storm is brewing - for now, we were invited to enjoy what remains of the calm.

You know, I'm starting to think the show producers felt insecure about running through George R.R. Martin's material and decided to answer fan mail instead. Not that I'm complaining about the stories -- most of them, anyway.